A veterinarian from the Provincial Veterinary Service who practices in the western half of New Brunswick was called on Nov. 5, 2018 to see a horse that was off feed and presenting with swelling of the right parotid area. The horse was cultured positive for Streptococcus equi equi (strangles) four days later. This horse was euthanized for other health reasons.
The premises were put under quarantine on Nov. 5, 2018 as strangles was suspected with the clinical signs. Three other horses on the farm were exposed to the positive case. One horse (a pony) showed clinical signs eight days later and was cultured positive. The two remaining horses on the farm did not show clinical signs, but were also sampled and one horse cultured positive.
As of Dec. 14, 2018 the two horses have not shown clinical signs and the pony has made a full recovery. The premises continue to be under quarantine and serial nasal swabs are planned before the quarantine is lifted.
For more information, visit www.cahss.ca/surveillance/equine.